Patents Assigned to Nibco, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20250146584
    Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON, LISA LYON, ANDREW J. TERRY
  • Patent number: 12281712
    Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
  • Patent number: 12281803
    Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20250060046
    Abstract: A serviceable swing check valve assembly includes an access port for servicing the swing check valve. The valve assembly also includes a strainer that strains the fluid before it reaches the swing check valve. A valve assembly is positioned adjacent to a drain port to drain the debris that is collected by the strainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
  • Patent number: 12209757
    Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 12209758
    Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 12203566
    Abstract: A motorized zone valve assembly permits the servicing and/or replacement of a motorized zone valve in a hydronic heating and/or cooling system. The motorized zone valve assembly includes isolation valves coupled to the incoming and outgoing ports of the motorized zone valve via union nuts. The isolation valve members can be closed to permit the removal of the motorized zone valve by the loosening of the two union nuts. In addition, the isolation valve coupled to the outgoing port can include a drain valve and drain port to permit the isolation and draining of individual zones of the hydronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20240428202
    Abstract: A water supply monitoring system in connection with a supply line includes sensors configured to detect supply properties, including a temperature, flow rate, and/or a pressure in the supply line. A controller receives the supply properties from the sensors and compares the supply properties to detection metrics. In response to a comparison of the supply properties relative to the detection metrics, the controller identifies an anomaly of a fluid supply or a consumption device. In response to the anomaly, the controller identifies a corrective action that may include a repair or installation of a conditioning device for the fluid supply and/or one of the consumption devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 12140236
    Abstract: A dual union drain valve assembly has one or more reversible check valve inserts in the fitting(s) that are coupled to the drain valve body. The coupling of the fittings to the drain valve body is done using union couplings permitting the easy installation and/or reversal of the check valve insert(s). In addition, the union couplings permit removal of the dual union drain valve assembly from the surrounding plumbing system for service or replacement of the dual union drain valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20240360924
    Abstract: An assembly configured to be press joined with a pipe by a pressing tool includes a piping component, which includes a body, a first end having a rim and an inner surface having a plurality of grooves, and a sealing recess wall positioned between the first end and the body and defining a sealing recess. The assembly also includes a sealing element received within the sealing recess of the piping component and having a sealing element thickness. The sealing element thickness of the sealing element is about equal to and not less than a Minimum Sealing Element Thickness Value of the sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: James Stogdill
  • Publication number: 20240361006
    Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 12098784
    Abstract: A piping component for a press fitting is provided that includes a body comprising a body inner diameter. A first end includes a first end inner diameter and an inner surface. A sealing recess is positioned between the first end and the body. The inner surface includes a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves is integrally formed with the first end and comprises a blunt surface configured for a press fit between a pipe and the piping component. The plurality of grooves comprises a groove inner diameter that is within about ±10% of the body inner diameter and the first end inner diameter. The plurality of grooves includes an angled edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: James Stogdill, Andrew Stevens
  • Patent number: 12066196
    Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 12060954
    Abstract: An assembly configured to be press joined with a pipe by a pressing tool includes a piping component, which includes a body, a first end having a rim and an inner surface having a plurality of grooves, and a sealing recess wall positioned between the first end and the body and defining a sealing recess. The assembly also includes a sealing element received within the sealing recess of the piping component and having a sealing element thickness. The sealing element thickness of the sealing element is about equal to and not less than a Minimum Sealing Element Thickness Value of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: James Stogdill
  • Publication number: 20240264614
    Abstract: A water pressure regulator assembly has dual union ends on a pressure reducing valve body. The water pressure regulator assembly includes a drain port with a valve member and a strainer. The union fitting ends may include check inserts to prevent backflow of water within the associated plumbing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20240263712
    Abstract: A dual union drain valve assembly has one or more reversible check valve inserts in the fitting(s) that are coupled to the drain valve body. The coupling of the fittings to the drain valve body is done using union couplings permitting the easy installation and/or reversal of the check valve insert(s). In addition, the union couplings permit removal of the dual union drain valve assembly from the surrounding plumbing system for service or replacement of the dual union drain valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
  • Patent number: 12038106
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Patent number: 12033226
    Abstract: A water supply monitoring system in connection with a supply line includes a fluid sensor configured to identify flow rate data identifying a flow rate of water through the supply line. A controller is configured to receive the flow rate data from the fluid sensor and compare the flow rate data over time to a plurality of flow rate models. The flow rate models define flow rate characteristics of a plurality of preconfigured water implements. The controller is further configured to classify a water consumption identified by the flow rate data as being consumed by a plurality of consumption implements in connection with the supply line in a plurality of consumption classifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher William Mason
  • Publication number: 20240159329
    Abstract: A motorized zone valve assembly permits the servicing and/or replacement of a motorized zone valve in a hydronic heating and/or cooling system. The motorized zone valve assembly includes isolation valves coupled to the incoming and outgoing ports of the motorized zone valve via union nuts. The isolation valve members can be closed to permit the removal of the motorized zone valve by the loosening of the two union nuts. In addition, the isolation valve coupled to the outgoing port can include a drain valve and drain port to permit the isolation and draining of individual zones of the hydronic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. MASON
  • Publication number: 20240125485
    Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason